Coral Gables, a historic suburb of Miami , is a largely residential, affluent area graced with broad, planted boulevards, golf courses, and country clubs. Built in the 1920s as one of the first planned communities in the United States, Coral Gables is a striking blend of Mediterranean architecture and tropical beauty.

The University of Miami campus is situated in the heart of Coral Gables. As the father of Coral Gables, land developer George E. Merrick founded the university, and developed the suburbs with strict building codes to ensure a beautiful surrounding.

For cultural activities in Miami and Coral Gables, ballet, opera, art exhibitions, theater productions, and various concerts are available throughout the year. Miami Beach, a national centerpiece of Art Deco architecture, has a variety of cultural offerings ranging from regular appearances of American Ballet theater, London Symphony Orchestra, and touring Broadway shows to various jazz and dancing clubs. Coconut Grove offers a range of attractions such as playhouses, specialty shops, and outdoor cafe and restaurants.

For relaxation, the beach is always one of Florida's popular destinations. Families enjoy the warm waters of nearby Key Biscayne and the South Beach in the Miami Beach area throughout the year. More adventuresome sport enthusiasts often drive a short distance to Key Largo for sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving among the only coral reefs in the Continental United States. Deep-sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean is very popular, as is water skiing in the many lakes that dot South Florida. Others simply set sail in the blue ocean waters between Florida and the Bahamas. The Everglades, west of Miami, is a unique environmentally-sensitive area best explored by canoe with a camera in hand. Numerous sub-tropical birds and wildlife, including the rare Florida panther, are native to the Everglades.